Treating Osteoporosis: What works for you?

Posted by heritage1955 @heritage1955, Apr 1, 2016

Hi. I'm new to the site and am interested in treating osteoperosis. I'm 39 yo and recently had a bone density that showed I'm at -2.4. So, going through the intial "I can't believe it" stuff. 🙂

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

mohavegal | @mohavegal | Apr 6, 2016

In reply to @spiritbird2 "The injection itself is not painful as it is sub cutaneous only." + (show)

Yes, its painless. Received my 1st one today. Tried every other solution I could & nothing worked. Hope this helps. mohavegal.

heritage1955 | @heritage1955 | Apr 5, 2016

In reply to @irishk "Thanks you Colleen. Inspire has many people asking pertinent questions on all aspects of Osteoporosis and..." + (show)

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll be checking inspire out soon. Sounds good! I'm pre menapause, so I'm not sure how the meds work and researching here and there casually right now. Just called the drs practice today to ask what they want to do because i haven't received any calls regarding a follow up appt. Anyone else hear of patients with osteoporosis in their 30's?

citylady | @citylady | Apr 3, 2016

In reply to @angelas "I, too, am interested in treatments for osteoporosis at a younger (50) age; however, postmenopausal. I..." + (show)

I have the same problem.I have been on the "bone pill" for about 3 years, and it's (to make a bad pun) a hard pill to swallow! Taking this on an empty stomach once a week, with a large glass of warm water, leaves me nauseous all morning! How do you cope, if you have finally started this treatment? Thanks for any helpful hints, and I hope you have had a good weekend.

irishk | @irishk | Apr 3, 2016

Thanks you Colleen. Inspire has many people asking pertinent questions on all aspects of Osteoporosis and I have learned so much.

angelas | @angelas | Apr 3, 2016

In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)

I'm guessing my vitamin D level was low because now that I am taking 2 supplements it is currently 35. I am taking 800 IU in am and 1,000 IU with dinner. My calcium level was probably a little low, too, as my multivitamin was only 500 mg and I was probably only obtaining another serving of calcium during the day (milk with dinner). So, with the additional calcium supplement I am at 1100 mg of calcium outside of food. I also had the 24 hour urine collection/analysis and that was normal. My PCP ordered additional testing (TSH, serum, PTH, electrophoresis, protein,etc.) and everything came back normal.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 3, 2016

In reply to @irishk "Dr. Susan Ott in Seattle, a bone researcher, has a very good website for patients and..." + (show)

Thanks for checking first @irishk. There are several members of Connect who also participate in the Inspire website. Feel free to mention any resources that have helped you and how or why.

jmbjar | @jmbjar | Apr 3, 2016

In reply to @angelas "Has anyone received their 1st BMD scan with a low t-score, like -3.1 in the spine,..." + (show)

I would want to know my calcium and parathyroid hormone , vit d levels are before supplementing .

jmbjar | @jmbjar | Apr 3, 2016

In reply to @angelas "I, too, am interested in treatments for osteoporosis at a younger (50) age; however, postmenopausal. I..." + (show)

Hi @angelas

You are young to have osteopororis. Have you had you blood calcium checked along with parathyroid hormone and vit d levels ? Do they know the cause of your osteoporosis at such a young age ?
I also get copies of my labs . They can look within normal range which can be deceiving as many Dr's do not understand when it comes to parathyroid disease. If calcium is low, pth would be higher, but if calcium is normal, pth should be very low.

jmbjar | @jmbjar | Apr 3, 2016

In reply to @flygirl8 "I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, the endocrinologist wishes to place me on a yearly injection,..." + (show)

Hi @flygirl8

Normally they run pth ( parathyroid hormone ) blood test if serum or ionized calcium is high or low. Have you had your calcium checked. With parathyroid disease calcium can be normal with high pth as well
I would most certainly want to find out the cause of your osteoporosis first if that is possible.
Usually 2-3 blood tests with pth and calcium ( both done at same blood draw ) will give some indication if there is a problem with pt glands . They can be done weekly for 3 wks. Also good idea to have vit d tested as some have 2ndary hyperparathyroidism due to low vit D. Generally speaking, secondary hyperparathyroidism due to vitamin D deficiency does not cause abnormally high calcium levels but usually pth is higher than it should be. ( Calcium to parathyroid hormone ratio ) Hope you find this somewhat helpful. You are far too young to have osteoporosis
http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/normocalcemic_hyperparathyroidism.shtml
http://endocrinediseases.org/parathyroid/secondary_hyperparathyroidism.shtmlhttp://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/endocrine/primary-hyperparathyroidism/Pages/fact-sheet.aspxhttp://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/endocrinology/osteoporosis-disease/

irishk | @irishk | Apr 3, 2016

Dr. Susan Ott in Seattle, a bone researcher, has a very good website for patients and clinicians. You can click on any of the subjects and get very good information.
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/
Moderator, not sure if it is OK to tell people about the Inspire website or not with many topics on osteo.